Classic Elton John And Leon Russell Interviews Honor Their New "Union"

[lastfm]Elton John[/lastfm] heard a [lastfm]Leon Russell[/lastfm] song one day and had an epiphany. He decided then and there that he wanted to make an album with Leon. Elton also decided that it had to be produced by the one and only [lastfm]T-Bone Burnett[/lastfm]. The result is Union, a new album containing 14 piano-driven songs that balance between rock, Americana, and balladry. Several were written by the famous duo of Elton John and [lastfm]Bernie Taupin[/lastfm]. Leon contributed a couple of his own songs and also collaborated on others with Burnett, John and Taupin.

When we learned of this collaboration, we decided to visit the WNEW archives and see what we could find. Elton was a regular at NYC radio station WNEW, and Leon had visited the station as well. Check out these classic interviews!

Elton on older people enjoying contemporary music in 1976:

Elton introducing a Leon Russell song on WNEW in 1980:

Elton talking [lastfm]Beastie Boys[/lastfm] in 1988–notice “Bennie And The Jets” in the background, sung not so admirably by the Beastie Boys themselves:

Elton discussing the state of radio in 1988:

Leon Russell jamming during his visit to WNEW in 1992:

Bonus: Watch a short video on the making of Union:

Elton and Leon are taking Union on the road, so keep your eyes on tour schedules. Also watch for a coming Cameron Crowe-filmed documentary on the making of Union.